A seven-step model for developing, teaching, and evaluating social safety skills curricula for persons with intellectual disabilities is presented. The model is based on validated best practices, including those associated with ecological inventories, (near) errorless learning instructional procedures, and procedures for promoting generalization…

In light of the articles in this issue, this article discusses the role that language planning plays in the building of communities and nations, focusing on American Indian language and bilingual education. Also examined is the impact of the Native American Languages Act on the maintenance of indigenous language and cultural resources. (four…

Discusses the role that schools, communities, and parents can play in transmitting American Indian culture and language to Indian children, focusing on the experiences of the Hualapai Indians and Peach Springs School District in Arizona. (three references) (MDM)

Self-recording of success in meeting specific teacher expectancies during their school schedules by four middle school students with learning disabilities or behavioral disorders was found effective in increasing the percentage of teachers' expectancies exhibited. Maintenance was evidenced across students. Carrying schedules without self-recording…

Describes Healing Wind, a community wellness and development program on the Passamaquoddy Reservation in Maine. Discusses the grassroots response to community problems such as substance abuse, school vandalism, and suicide; the program's foundation on cultural traditions such as the talking circle; formation of a core group to implement the…

Constructs an Afrocentric paradigm. Provides mental health counselors with a different cultural perspective that will enable them to structure and introduce intervention strategies in a manner that will allow African Americans to redefine themselves in ways that are culturally congruent. Provides a basis for healthier self-images and meaningful…

A university supervisor conducted professional coaching sessions with three pairs of special education team teachers enrolled in a practicum, to increase positive teacher behaviors and decrease negative teacher behaviors. The coaching was found to be effective in improving teacher skills as well as in maintaining and generalizing the skills. (JDD)

A survey of 791 professionals involved in delivering assistive technology to individuals with disabilities found 6 major job roles: (1) device selection and maintenance; (2) environmental modification; (3) dissemination of information on assistive technology; (4) evaluation of suitability of assistive device; (5) administration; and (6) product…

A 12-year-old boy with severe disabilities was taught street-crossing skills through the use of photographs with verbal rehearsal of appropriate street crossing, followed by community-based instruction. The skills were acquired, maintained at follow up, and generalized to new streets. (JDD)

Three older adults with severe/moderate mental retardation learned aerobic-type exercises in a group setting using a system of prompts and contingent praise. Prompt fading facilitated maintenance of the exercise skills in the absence of instruction, and skills were maintained at a nine-month follow-up assessment. However, only slight increases in…

Examines the background and roots of the Welsh language and how it is being kept in existence and its usage increased. The maintenance of the Welsh language through literature, education, and journalism is described; radio and television broadcasting in Welsh is reviewed; and other influences are examined. (12 references) (LRW)

Six students (ages 12-14) with learning disabilities received either cognitive or metacognitive strategy instruction for mathematical problem solving, followed by instruction in the complementary component. Results indicated that cognitive and metacognitive strategies were more effective than either cognitive or metacognitive strategy instruction…

Bill Leap responds to questions regarding reasons for the disappearance of traditional languages, steps in and barriers to language renewal, the need for written language, the importance of understanding a community's culture when studying or teaching the language, and the roles tribal colleges and linguists can play in language preservation. (DMM)

A self-management training and reinforcement package was implemented with three seriously emotionally disturbed adolescents. After five weeks of training, all subjects demonstrated substantial improvements in classroom behavior when the teacher was out of the room, though explicit instruction was required for transfer of skills to walking between…

Contracting for noneducational services is standard operating procedure in many school districts. Private contractors are involved in transportation, food service, maintenance, and even, in rare cases, instruction. Before deciding to contract out, school boards should examine improvement to school-run operations before making a final decision.…